Star Trek: Mjolnir - Echoes of the Tsiolkovsky

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter One =/\=​

Stardate 57793.25 (October 17, 2380. 07:56 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir
Interstellar space, Beta Quadrant

Stepping out of the turbolift onto the starboard side of the Mjolnir’s bridge Callum noticed that Gratakka, Nerah and Vhela were already manning their stations. Walking towards the captain’s chair to assume command Callum saw that Damrus was standing by the center seat speaking with ship’s purple skinned and raven haired Alvanian gamma shift officer of the watch, lieutenant junior grade Tigan Millis.

“Quiet shift, lieutenant?” Callum asked.

“Very, sir.” Tigan said.

“Ah see.” Callum said. Adopting a formal tone and stance Callum continued on saying, “The bridge is mine.”

“Aye, sir. I stand relieved.” Tigan said formally relinquishing command of the bridge.

“Computer, begin day watch.” Callum said to the computer causing it to begin the day watch causing the lighting throughout the ship to rise to the standard level from the reduced lighting of the ship’s gamma shift. Continuing on he said, “All stations report.”

“All offensive and defensive systems are available at your command, sir.” Gratakka reported from the freestanding tactical station on the behind and to Callum’s left.

“Primary and secondary systems are fully operational, as are the back ups.” Navesh reported from where she sat on the port side of the bridge at the ops station facing the forward viewscreen, “The environmental system is producing a standard M class atmosphere in all pressurized areas of the ship and the grav plating is producing a standard one gee field in all areas with gravity.”

“We are cruising at warp nine on course for Federation space, Captain.” Nerah reported from the helm station

“Very good people.” Callum said. Tapping his combadge he said, “MacLeod tae Engineering.”

“Engineering, Gorsach here.” Prolasch’s disembodied voice said coming from the Callum’s combadge.

“Status report, Commander.” Callum ordered.

“All systems are fully functional, Captain.“ Prolasch replied being uncharacteristically nice.

“Ahm glad tae hear that, Commander. Let us know if anything comes up.” Callum said.

“Aye, sir. Engineering out.” Prolasch’s disembodied voice said from Callum’s combadge before the channel quietly clicked closed.

“Captain, sensors are detecting unusual readings a light-year away on our current flight path.” Vhela said.

“What kind of readings?” Callum asked turning his Mark VII captain’s chair to face the science station.

“From what I can tell there appears to be a rogue planet in our flight path a little over two light-years distant. And from these readings I’d say that the it seems to be collapsing in on itself.” Vhela said as she turned to look at Callum.

“Lieutenant Nerah, what’s our ETA?” Callum asked.

“If we maintain our current speed of warp seven we should arrive at the planet in thirty hours.” Nerah replied as he consulted the readout on the helm console.

“Maintain speed and course, Lieutenant Nerah. Lieutenant Vhela begin long range sensor scans o’ the planet. Its nae every day that a Starfleet vessel gets tae monitor a planetary implosion.” Callum said issuing orders.

“Aye, sir. Maintaining course and speed.” Nerah said from the helm.

“Beginning sensor scans and analysis, Sir.” Vhela said as she sat at the science station in the mini-skirted female duty uniform variant that Callum had approved for use onboard the Mjolnir in place of the standard duty uniform.

Turning the Mark VII Captain’s Chair so he was facing Damrus who was sitting behind the freestanding console that served as the first officer and communications station Callum said, “Ye have the bridge, Commander. If ye need me ah’ll be in mah ready room.”

“Aye, sir.” Damrus said as he stood up to leave the first officer and communications station to sit in the center seat while Callum was in the ready room.

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Two =/\=​

Stardate 57793.49 (October 17, 2380. 10:03 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir
Interstellar space, Beta Quadrant

As Callum sat in the ready room reading ‘A Princess Of Mars’ by Edgar Rice Burrows his combadge chirped to indicate he had a waiting hail. Setting down the oversized PADD after pressing the control to put it into sleep mode Callum tapped his combadge to open the channel.

“MacLeod here. Go ahead.” Callum said after tapping the combadge with the first two fingers on his right hand Callum spoke aloud giving whoever was on the other end of the comm-link permission to speak.

“Commander Rel, Captain.” Damrus’ disembodied voice said coming from Callum’s combadge, “Captain, sensors have detected an alien ship on an intercept course at high warp. They are about two light years out and not responding to hails.”

“Why did we nae detect them before, Commander?” Callum queried.

“They seem to have just disengaged some sort of stealth system that was preventing them from showing up on our sensors.” Damrus replied.

“Ahm on mah way. MacLeod out.” Callum said before tapping his combadge.

Walking out of the ready room Callum briskly headed towards the center seat as Damrus wordlessly returned to his station.

Sitting down in the center seat Callum looked at Damrus and said, “Open a channel.”

“Aye, sir.” Damrus said replied from the XO/Communications station.

Seconds later the image on the viewscreen changed to the image of a purple skinned alien with no visible neck or nose and curled up tentacles where a human’s ears would be. Callum saw that the alien had two arms each with a hand with three fingers and an opposable thumb and six short thick stubs where a human would have legs. Around its body it wore a sleeveless blue vest trimmed in purple and with a large purple circle on the front.

“I am beings captain Smek of Boov ship four-one-three-two-blue. We are being needing the helps. The Boov on this ship are all that are left of us. Can you be helping us?” The alien captain said.

“Ahm Captain Callum MacLeod o’ the Federation starship Mjolnir.” Callum answered. Continuing on he said, “Maintain your current course and we can discuss it when we meet up.”

“We will be keepings the course to meet your ship, Captain MacLeod.” Smek said before closing the channel.

=/\=​

“Sensor contact dead ahead.” Navesh announced from Ops.

“All stop, Mister Nerah. Full scan, Commander Tymoshenko.” Callum ordered.

“Sensors now reading all stop.” Nerah reported a moment later as Navesh’s green fingers danced across the ops console adjusting the sensor controls and focusing the sensor scans.

“Captain.” Navesh said turning from the ops station moments later to get Callum’s attention.

Turning to face Navesh at Ops Callum said, “Yes, Commander?”

“Sensors are reading that it is cold in that ship.” Navesh said.

“How cold?” Callum asked curiously.

“Cold enough that a Ferengi would have his hands in his own pockets.” Navesh said, “We’re entering transporter range… they seem to suffered major damage to virtually every system… they’re reactor is overloading. They’ve got no more than ten minutes before it goes critical!”

“Hail them!” Callum said as he began issuing orders, “Expand the transporter buffer capacity for an emergency evacuation beam oot.”

Seconds later the image of the Boov ship was replaced with a real-time video feed which showed the Boov ship’s bridge in a state of barely controlled chaos.

“Our ship is goings to explode. The engines are beings too damaged, you should be movings away so your ship is not taking the damage.” Smek said from the viewscreen.

“We will, once we have ye onboard.” Callum answered, “We can beam your crew tae our ship and figure things out from there.”

“What is this beams?” Smek asked as his skin changed color from purple to yellow to blue and back to purple over and over.

“We have a device that gives us the ability to instantly move your people from your ship tae ours without docking or using shuttles. Dae we have your permission tae beam ye o’er?” Callum exclaimed.

“Yes. We are waitings to be the beamed to your ship, Captain.” Smek said before closing the channel.

“Commander Tymoshenko, beam them all tae cargobay one, secure the door. Lieutenant Gratakka ye are with me, have a security detail meet us outside the cargobay. Commander Rel, ye have the bridge. Make arrangements for our guests accommodations and have Doctor Pax meet us at the cargobay in case they have any injuries that need treatment. Ensign Nerah once they’re onboard resume course for Federation space an’ engage at warp nine.” Callum ordered as he stood up and stepped away from the center seat.

“Aye, sir.” Navesh said followed immediately by Gratakka, Nerah, and Damrus’ identical replies.

=/\=​

Minutes later Callum was standing in a deck three port side corridor in front of a large double door with the Lieutenant Gratakka, Doctor Pax and a trio of human crewmen from the ship’s security department. Gratakka and each of the crewmen had a type two phaser holstered on their left hip while Melina had a medkit handing from her right shoulder and the medical version of a Mark X TR 590 tricorder holstered on her left hip.

“Stand ready, but don’t draw your phasers unless absolutely necessary. These people are our guests not prisoners.” Callum said to Gratakka and the security detail. Addressing the computer he said, “Computer, unlock and open the doors.”

Within seconds the cargobay’s door whooshed open and revealed twenty Boov all standing together in a group facing the doorway. Concealing the surprise he felt at how short the Boov were - the height of a seven year old human child - Callum walked into the cargobay.

Taking a couple steps away from the rest of the Boov, Captain Smek looked up at Callum and said, “We are thanking you for the savings of us.”

“You’re welcome, captain.” Callum said, “Mah first officer, Commander Rel, is currently making arrangements for where ye and your people will stay while onboard our ship. Do any of ye need any medical attention?”

“No, Captain. We are all beings the healthy and not injured.” Smek replied. Gesturing to another Boov standing beside him Smek spoke introducing him, “This is beings my second in command, Commander Oh.”

With a respectful nod to the diminutive alien as he gestured to the imposing Nausicaan Callum said, “This is Lieutenant Gratakka, my tactical officer an’ security chief, he will escort ye an’ your people tae our mess hall so ye can relax an’ have somethin’ tae eat while your accommodations are being arranged. Once ye have rested an’ ate ah’d like tae talk with ye an’ figure oot what we can do for ye.”

“That would be beings good, Captain.” Smek said. Turning to the other Boov he said, “We will goes with the scary looking one and will be goods.”

Looking at Gratakka as he barely suppressed a grin Callum said, “Ah’ll be on the bridge if ye need me. But something tells me that ye will nae have trouble handling them.”

“Aye, sir.” The mountainous Nausicaan rumbled in his deep voice.

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Three =/\=​

Stardate 57796.08 (October 18, 2380. 08:51 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir
Interstellar space, Beta Quadrant

Callum stepped out of the turbolift onto the starboard side of the Mjolnir’s bridge a few steps behind Damrus, Grarakka, Navesh, Nerah and Vhela As the rest of the alpha shift bridge crew walked towards their stations to relieve the crewmembers that had been manning it on the gamma shift Callum walked towards the captain’s chair to relieve the ship’s purple skinned and raven haired Alvanian gamma shift officer of the watch, lieutenant junior grade Tigan Millis, and take command of the bridge. As Callum approached the center seat he watched as Tigan stood up and stepped to the side so she was standing on the main level of the bridge next to the mark seven captain’s chair.

“Quiet shift, lieutenant?” Callum asked.

“Very, sir.” Tigan said, “Nothing note worthy happened, sir.”

“Ah see.” Callum said. Adopting a formal tone and stance Callum continued on saying, “The bridge is mine.”

“Aye, sir. I stand relieved.” Tigan said formally relinquishing command of the bridge.

As Callum sat down in the captain’s chair Tigan, and the rest of the gamma shift bridge crew filed into the turbolift to go off duty so they could either go to the mess hall, the holodecks or their quarters to enjoy their off duty time.

“Computer, begin day watch.” Callum said to the computer causing it to begin the day watch causing the lighting throughout the ship to rise to the standard level from the reduced lighting of the ship’s gamma shift.

Continuing on he said, “All stations report.”

“We’re on course for the rogue planet and cruising at warp nine.” Nerah reported from the helm, “Hull vibration is low, stress on the warp field is low and the warp coils are operating well below their tolerances.”

“All offensive and defensive systems are available at your command, sir.” The mountainous Nausicaan reported from the tactical station.

“Primary and secondary systems are fully operational, as are the back ups.” Navesh reported from where she sat on the port side of the bridge at the ops station facing the forward viewscreen, “The environmental system is producing a standard M class atmosphere in all pressurized areas of the ship and the grav plating is producing a standard one gee field in all areas with gravity.”

“The intelligence database, combat tracking and holographic masking systems are online and available for use at any point, sir.” Malcolm reported from the Intelligence and Combat Tracking station.

“All communications systems are online and operational, sir.” Damrus reported from the XO/Communications station on the bulkhead to Callum’s right.

“Fabulous, folks.” Callum said. Turning to face the XO/Communications station he said, “Ye have the bridge, Commander Rel. Ah’ll be on mah ready room. Please have Captain Smek escorted tae mah ready room”

“Aye, sir.” Damrus replied standing up from his seat to walk to the center seat and assume command of the bridge.

=/\=​

Callum was sitting behind the desk in his ready room mere moments later when the door chime sounded indicating that someone was waiting outside the ready room on the bridge waiting to come into the ready room.

“Enter.” Callum said saying Starfleet’s standard command/invitation that Starfleet personnel used to let someone who wanted to enter a room know that they could enter.

Seconds after Callum said to enter the ready room doors whooshed open admitting the mountainous Nausicaan and the diminutive Boov. As the walked into the ready room Callum put down the PADD he’d been reading.

“Lieutenant Gratakka, ye can return tae your station.” Callum said, “Captain Smek, thank-ye for coming tae see me. Ah was hoping that ye could tell me more aboot what happened tae your people.”

“Of courses, Captain.” Smek said as he climbed up into the seat across the desk from Callum, “Many many years ago very far from here our homeworld was takens from is by takers that were beings part machine. Over the years they found the few of our ships that escaped. Eventually my ship was the last one. It was being damaged when we were hiding by a planet that was breakings up. If our ships was not so damaged from all the runnings and hidings it would have been the perfect hidings spot, but the gravity was being too much for ship in the state it was beings in.”

“Ah see.” Callum said with his suspicion growing as to who had attacked the Boov, “What were the ‘takers’ ships like?”

“I never saw them myselfs. I was just being little. But from what I haves been told they were big cubes.” Smek said.

“Ah see.” Callum sighed, “My people have encountered the ‘takers’ before. They call themselves the Borg. We are several months from my people’s home space, but ahm sure that mah government would offer you an’ your people sanctuary an’ possibly even a world of your own. That is if ye decide tae stay onboard until we return tae Federation space.”

“You are beings very generous, Captain MacLeod.” Smek replied excitedly, It would be very nice to be able to stop runnings and have somewhere to be callings our home.”

Pressing a control on his desktop to summon Gratakka to escort the diminutive Boov off deck one Callum continued speaking as the ready room door whooshed open admitting the mountainous Nausicaan seconds later.

“We will talk again, Captain. Lieutenant Gratakka will make sure that ye dinnae get turned around on your way to the turoblift.” Callum said gesturing towards Gratakka, who was standing by the door.

“This way, sir.” Gratakka said in his deep baritone rumble as he gestured to the door.

Looking up at Gratakka as he hopped off the chair Smek said, “You are beings VERY big.”

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Four =/\=​

Stardate 57796.08 (October 18, 2380. 08:51 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir
Interstellar space, Beta Quadrant

“Excuse me.” The bald headed and clean shaven Thalloian non-comm known as Jang Si Veran said with a grin on his face as he walked up to the table where one of the Boov was sitting by himself with a slight sheen of perspiration on his skin in spite fact that he was doing nothing that would cause him to perspire, “Since you’re new here I thought I should introduce myself. I’m Chief Petty Officer Jang Si Veran. I’m the ship’s cook.”

“I am beings Oh.” The diminutive Boov said as he stood up on his seat and extended his hand to the Mjolnir’s crimson-skinned Thallonian chef “It is beings a pleasure to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Oh.” Jang Si said with a smile as he gently shook the diminutive being’s hand, “Would you like something to eat?”

Hoping off he chair Oh said, “That would be goods.”

“Come with me. We’ll get you something delicious.” Jang Si said turning from the table and heading towards the galley.

“Captain Smek says that we are very lucky to have been foundings you.” Oh said innocently, “But I thinks that you are beings the lucky too. We Boov are the smartest at building things. I am beings sure we could teach you alots in exchange for you givings us a new home and protecting us from the takers.”

“If I was you I wouldn’t tell our Chief Engineer that.” Jang Si said as the reached the counter.

“Whys? Wouldn’t it be makings him happy to learn to be a good fixer-it-upper?” Oh asked innocently as he wiped some sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.

Before Jang Si could reply Oh suddenly staggered and banged into the counter. Righting himself on his unsteady tentacle-legs he continued speaking.

“Suddenly I am not feelings the goodness. Would you be ables to be taking me to your doctor?” Oh asked as he reached out and grasp Jang’s forearm to steady himself.

“Of course.” Jang Si said gently guiding Oh towards the exit as he steadied him.

=/\=​

As he sat behind the ready room desk reading ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ from an oversized PADD Callum’s combadge chirped signaling that he had a waiting comm-call.

Setting the PADD down Callum tapped his combadge and said, “MacLeod, go ahead.”

“Commander Rel, Captain.” Damrus’ disembodied voice said coming from Callum’ combadge, “Sickbay reports that one of the Boov came into sickbay running a high fever, feeling light-headed and perspiring profusely.

“Hmmm… let sickbay ken that ahm on mah way there an’ have Lieutenant Vyn meet me there. MacLeod oot.” Callum said standing up and walking around the ready room desk heading for the exit as he tapped his combadge to close the channel.

=/\=​

Tapping his foot on the traction carpet as the turbolift glided through the Mjolnir’s turbolift tubes towards the deck three turbolift alcove closest to the sickbay Callum heard the humming of the graviton relays in the turbolift shaft that powered the turbolift cars. A moment later the turbolift eased to a stop and the doors opened to reveal the deck three corridor that passed the ship’s sickbay. As he walked down the corridor Callum saw Reyna walk out of a cross corridor and fall into step beside him. Walking into sickbay moments later Callum and Reyna saw Melina standing beside one of the biobeds scanning an the unconscious for of the Boov first officer.
Walking over to the biobed Callum said, “How’s your patient. Doctor?”

“Unconscious, Captain.” Melina reported as she scanned the unconscious Boov, “He was actually being quite combative and uncooperative. I had to sedate him.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Callum asked.

“Whatever it is, it presents like intoxication but there is no sign of anything that could account for it.” Melina replied, “I’m at a loss, despite their obvious physical differences, anatomically they aren’t that different from humans.”

“Keep at it, Doctor.” Callum said. Turning to Reyna he said, “Lieutenant Vyn, please let Captain Smek ken aboot his man’s status.”

After hearing Reyna and Melina both respond with an ‘aye, sir’ Callum said, “Ah’ll be in mah ready room if either o’ ye lasses need me.”

Saying nothing else Callum turned and walked out of the sickbay and headed down the corridor for the nearest turbolift alcove, which just so happened to be the one he had come from when the turbolift had brought him to deck three, so that he could return to the bridge. Once Callum reached the turbolift alcove he pressed the ‘Call’ button to summon one of ship’s turbolift cars so he could return to the bridge. Once the turbolift arrived and the doors whooshed open Callum walked into the turbolift and turned to face the door.

As the doors whooshed closed Callum ordered the turbolift to take him to the bridge. Moments later the turbolift gently eased to a stop and the doors opened and Callum walked out onto the bridge. Seeing Callum emerge onto the bridge Damrus stood up vacating the captain’s chair and to turn command of the bridge back over to Callum before to his spot at the first officer and communications station.

With a dismissive wave as he started towards the forward bulkhead Callum said, “The bridge is still yours, commander. Ah’ll be in mah ready room.”

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Five =/\=​

Stardate 57797.01 (October 18, 2380. 16:57 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir
Interstellar space, Beta Quadrant

As the Mjolnir flew through interstellar space towards the collapsing planetoid Ensign P’Rys sashayed, she hoped seductively, down one of the corridors wearing a translucent black dress that did absolutely nothing to conceal feminine charms. Walking around a corner in the corridor she smiled as she saw Dorian stop dead in her tracks when he saw her and what she was wearing. Walking over to the other ensign she felt a pang of lust which she couldn’t resist and grabbed the collar of her uniform tunic and pulled her close and kissed her deeply and passionately.

“If your interested in more, meet me in my cabin in an hour.” Mrena said with a smile on her face before she turned as sashayed away leaving Dorian feeling confused and dumfounded.

=/\=​

“I’M THE FRAKING HERO OF BRANDENBURG TOR!” Chief Petty Officer Jang Si Veran shouted at the ship Royadinan engineer in the mess hall, “IF I SAY YOU ARE HAVING A CEASER SALAD, THEN YOU ARE HAVING A FRAKING CEASER SALAD!”

“But, if I eat plant matter I’ll get sick.” The confused Ez’targic said troubled by the chef’s atypical behavior, “I’m a carnivore. My system can’t digest plant matter properly.”

“OOOH LA-DE-DA, MISTER FANCY PANTS!” Jang Si shouted. Throwing down his cooking implements he said, “IF YOU THINK YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN BY ALL MEANS!”

Without waiting for an answer the burly crimson-skinned chef tore off his apron and stormed out of the mess hall?

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Six =/\=​

Stardate 57798.97 (October 19, 2380. 10:10 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir
Interstellar space, Beta Quadrant

“Captain.” Nerah said from the helm on the Mjolnir’s bridge late the next afternoon to get Callum’s attention.

“Yes, lieutenant?” Callum replied.

“We’re on final approach to the rogue planet.” Nerah reported.

“Slow to impulse. On screen” Callum said. Continuing on he said, “Lieutenant Vhela, what are the sensors picking up?”

Within seconds the viewscreen was filled with the image of a class D planetoid, much like Earth's moon. Even from the image on the viewscreen Callum could tell that the planetoid was rotating a a relatively high speed for its surprise, which was surprising given that there was nothing around that could be exerting an influence on it.

“According to sensors the planet is still largely intact. "Class D planetoid with a high rate of rotation. There’s a significant cloud of debris around the planet which seems to have come from ejections from the planet’s break up. There is also significant shifts in the gravitational field which is causing the debris cloud to be quite turbulent.” Vhela replied from her station, “I can see why the Boov wanted to hide here AND why their ship was so damaged.

"So what's making the rocky world go 'round?" Gratakka said from where he sat behind the freestanding console that served as the ship's tactical station.

"Fat bottom girls." Navesh, the Orion ops officer who had been raised on Earth by humans, suddenly said.

"That's one theory." Callum said with a chuckle, "Lieutenant Vhela, would ye happen tae have a theory that does nae involve a song by Queen?"

“Not yet, sir.” Vhela replied, “But I’m working on it.”

“Understood, Lieutenant. Let me ken when ye have one.” Callum said, “After all ah dinnae want tae have tae list ‘fat bottom girls’ as the official reason that planet rotates.”

“I’ll do my best, sir.” The Barzan science officer said with a chuckle.

“Captain, I’m getting some very unusual reports coming in from throughout the ship.” Damrus said as he sat behind the freestanding console that served as his bridge station.

“What dae ye mean?” Callum asked turning to look a his XO.

“The shuttlebay sent a message saying that all personnel should refrain from walking in corridors on the odd numbered decks on the port side of the ship until further notice. Engineering sent out a request for all crew to order nothing but lime flavored gelatin from the replicators on deck three and Astrometrics distributed a poem about a female from Venus with a body shaped like a portion of male anatomy.” Damrus reported, “As well several crewmembers have reported that they’ve seen Ensign P’Rys wandering around the ship attempting to entice various crewmembers into having a romantic encounter.”

“Lieutenant Gratakka, ah want ye tae personally located Ensign P’Rys an’ escort her tae sickbay.” Callum ordered after turning to face the tactical station, “If necessary post a security officer there tae make sure she behaves.”

“Aye, sir.” The mountainous Nausicaan replied as he stood up.

Looking at Malcolm, at the Intelligence and Combat tracking station, Callum said, “Lieutenant Washbourne, ye have tactical.”

“Yes, sir.” Malcolm said as he stood and headed for the tactical station.

Turning to look at Damrus again Callum said, “Ye have the bridge, Commander. See what ye can make o’ what’s goin’ on with the crew. Ah’ll be in mah ready room.”

“Aye, sir.” Damrus said standing up to take the center seat as Callum walked across the bridge towards the ready room and paused to read the muted gold dedication plaque with its profound yet simple quote that said:

“Risk Is Our Business ” – Captain James T. Kirk​

“Is it just me or does Ensign P’Rys’s actions sound like the result of some sort of extreme intoxication?” Navesh said to no one in particular as Callum walked into the ready room.

“Now that you mention it, it does. And that sounds very familiar, but I can’t place it.” Damrus said.

=/\=​

As Callum sat behind the ready room desk reading from an oversized PADD the door chime sounded signaling that someone was waiting in the corridor and wanting to enter the ready room. Figuring there was only one way to see who was on the other side of the door Callum turned to face the door and set the PADD down before he began speaking.

“Enter.” he said giving permission to enter to whoever was on the other side of the door to come in.

Once the ready room door whooshed open Navesh stepped into room and walked over to the ready room desk before sitting on the desktop next to him.

“What can ah dae for ye, beautiful?” Callum asked the curvy Orion sitting on his desk beside him.

“Actually, I came here to see if there was anything that I can do for you?” Navesh asked, “You’ve seemed preoccupied on the bridge the last couple of days.”

“Its nothing major, I’m just wondering how the Federation will handle the Boov.” Callum said, “The council’s been known tae make some pretty bonehead decisions.”

“Are you sure that’s all?” Navesh asked with the concern evident on her pretty emerald colored face.

“Ah’m sure. Honest.” Callum said.

“Promise to tell me if anything else is bothering you?” Navesh asked.

“Ah promise.” Callum replied looking up at Navesh.

“In that case, I should be get back to my station..” Navesh said hopping off of the desk.

“Ah’ll see you later, beautiful.” Callum said giving Navesh permission to leave.

“I hate to see her go, but boy oh boy do I enjoy watching her leave.” Callum thought to himself as the ready room door whooshed closed behind Navesh cutting of Callum’ view of her shapely wiggling uniform covered backside.

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Seven =/\=​

Stardate 57799.01 (October 19, 2380. 10:30 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir
Interstellar space, Beta Quadrant

As the Mjolnir approached the collapsing planetoid Gratakka walked into the mess hall and notice a great clamor coming from the far end of the mess hall. Looking across the room with a disapproving frown he saw the source of the commotion, a dozen crew members were gathered around one of the tables cheering and carrying on as P’Rys dancing on the table with a seductive feline grace.

“ALRIGHT BREAK IT UP!” Gratakka bellowed as he walked menacingly towards the group.

As the crowd scattered like leaves on the wind in the fall Gratakka stepped up to the table saying, “Come with me, Ensign. The Captain has ordered me to bring you to sickbay.”

“I don’t think so, big boy. You’re not my type.” P’Rys snipped she leapt off the table landed on all fours ran out of the room like a cheetah chasing its prey.

“Ugh,” Gratakka moaned as he drew his type two-A phaser from its holster and started after P’Rys, “I’m getting to old this dren.”

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Eight =/\=​

Stardate 57799.01 (October 19, 2380. 10:40 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir
Interstellar space, Beta Quadrant

“Lieutenant Gratakka to the bridge.” The burly Nausicaan’s deep voice said coming from the bridge’s overhead speaker, “I’ve managed to… apprehend Ensign P’Rys and escort her to sickbay. I will remain here to ensure she stays here and is compliant. I don’t feel like chasing her through the corridors again.”

“Understood, Lieutenant. Bridge oot.” Callum replied unconsciously looking up slightly.

As the comm-link quietly clicked closed he looked at Damrus and said, “Is it just me or does it sound like Ensign P’Rys is suffering from some sort of extreme intoxication?” Callum said.

“Now that you mention it, it does indeed sir. And that sounds very familiar, but I can’t figure out why.” Damrus said.

“I know why, Captain.” Malcolm said speaking up as he sat at the tactical station on the opposite side of the bridge from Damrus’s first officer and communications station.

Turning to face the him Callum asked, “Why is that, lieutenant?”

“The both the Enterprise-D under Captain Picard and the original Enterprise under Captain Kirk encountered something that acted like an extreme form of intoxication. Its called poly-water it occurs when water molecules pick up an extra carbon atom due to extreme shifts in gravity. The poly-water acts like an extreme intoxicant for humanoids. It was encountered by Kirk when the at Psi 2000 and Picard when the Enterprise-D was investigating why the USS Tsiolkovsky had stopped reporting in while on a mission to study the collapse of a red hyper-giant into a white dwarf.”
“That’s it!” Callum exclaimed, “The Psi 2000 infection! And its onboard my ship! Is there a cure for it?”

“Yes, sir. For a lack of a better term the ‘strains’ that Kirk and Picard encountered were slightly different but the CMO’s on both ships developed an inoculant to counter the effects.” Malcolm said.

“Send the information on poly-water intoxication and the formulas to Doctor Pax’s office in sickbay.” Callum said.

Tapping his combadge Callum said, “MacLeod tae Sickbay.”

“Sickbay. Pax here.” The joined Trill’s disembodied voice said coming from Callum’s combadge a moment later.

“You can relax, Doctor.” Callum said, “The answer to all of this on as well as two possible cures and is being transferred to your office now.”

“What is it?” Melina asked.

“Its called poly-water intoxication. It happens when massive gravitational shifts cause water molecules to pick up carbon. Its transmitted by physical contact and acts as like an extreme intoxicant suppressing rational judgment. Please begin test inoculations immediately. We want to get this thing under control.” Callum said.

“Aye, sir. Sickbay out.” Melina disembodied voice said before the comm-link clicked closed.

=/\=​

“What’s that?” P’Rys said nervously as she lay on the main bio-bed in sickbay as Melina walked towards her carrying a hypospray whose clear cartridge was filled with an orange colored liquid.

“Hopefully the cure to all of this.” Melina explained, “You’re suffering from something called poly-water intoxication. It acts like an extreme intoxicant. This inoculant is based on the formulas that were developed by Doctor McCoy of Captain Kirk’s Enterprise and Doctor Crusher of Captain Picard’s Enterprise-D. I had to modify it to work on this particular strain but its works by breaking the bonds in the poly-water which disrupts its intoxicating effects allowing the bodily functions to return to normal.”

Pressing the hypospray against P’Rys’s carotid artery Melina pressed the activator causing the device to inject a does of the medication into her bloodstream via a pulse of compressed air. Looking at the Caitian woman sitting on the bio-bed, under the watchful glare of Lieutenant Gratakka, Melina found himself doing what humans would call ‘praying to the fates’ that this would work.

After a couple moments P’Rys shook her head and said, “Whatever you put in that worked, Doctor, ‘cause I’m feeling a lot better.”

Grabbing his tricorder Melina did a quick bio-scan of P’Rys. As she flipped the tricorder closed with a flick of her wrist he said, “It was a neumozine derivative designed to break down the poly-water in your system. According to the tricorder its almost completely gone already. Now I just need to figure out how to dispense this to the rest of the crew in an efficient manner.”

“Yea, a drunk and belligerent Royadinian might not be the most fun to deal with. What about dispersing it as an aerosol through the ventilation system?” P’Rys said, “That way everyone would get inoculated at the same time and eliminate the chance of a missed crewmember causing a second outbreak.”

“That could work.” Melina said, “Neumozine is capable of being delivered in an aerosol form. Are you able to help me reconfigure the environmental systems to disperse it?”

“Of course.” P’Rys said with a grin in her voice as she swung her legs over the edge of the bio-bed and hopped down. Looking at Gratakka she said, “About my earlier behavior…”

“Don’t worry about it.” Gratakka said graciously. Continuing on with a slight smile on his face Melina said, “Besides I’ve been called far worse.”

=/\=​

As Damrus sat in the center seat of the Mjolnir’s bridge atmospheric vents throughout the ship automatically opened in response to P’Rys activating the ship-wide bio-hazard protocol. Seconds later the invisible Neumozine gas began dispersing throughout the ship so it would be inhaled by the crew and break down the poly-water in the crew’s bloodstream to counteract its intoxicating effects to allow them to return to normal and resume their normal activities. Once the readouts in sickbay showed that the neumozine was dispersing throughout the ship Melina activated the communications system with a tap of her combadge and hailed the bridge.

“Sivkbay to the bridge.” The Trill’s calm voice said through the speaker seconds later

“Bridge. Go ahead.” Damrus replied as he began feeling more clear headed.

“I’ve synthesized a neumozine derivative based on the formulas in the computer system. Its currently dispersing through the atmospheric vents thanks to the ship-wide bio-hazard protocol, the crew should return to normal behavior within half an hour. I figured this would be the best way to inoculate the entire crew to ensure everyone got treated.” Melina said.

“Not to mention the fact that it ensures that you don’t have to deal with Chief Ez’targic if he’s suffering from the effects of the poly-water intoxication and not wanting to have an injection.” Damrus said with a chuckle.

“There is that benefit.” Melina said with a chuckle of his own, “Melina out.”

Once the comm-link clicked closed Damrus tapped his combadge to open a comm-link so he could fill Callum in on Melina’s report without having to leave the Mjolnir’s bridge.

“MacLeod. Go ahead.” Callum’s disembodied voice said coming from Damrus’s combadge.

“Commander ch’Mirah, Captain.” Damrus reported, “You’ll be glad to hear that Doctor Pax has found a cure to the poly-water intoxication and its currently dispersing through the atmospheric vents. She’s expecting that the crew should return to normal behavior within half an hour.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Commander. I have the feeling that Lieutenant Vyn is going to be busy for a while, given everything that’s happened.” Callum’s disembodied voice said, “MacLeod out.”

Once the comm-link clicked closed Callum turned in his seat behind the ready room desk and stood up, having decided that he needed a Lime Pick-a-pop. After the clear bottle materialized on the replicator’s receiving platform Callum picked it up and turned around and walked across ready room to the desk and sat down. After taking a long sip of the translucent green liquid Callum set the bottle down on the desktop and pressed a button on the desktop to begin recording a log entry about the whole incident.

The adventures of the Mjolnir’s crew will continue in…
Star Trek: Mjolnir – Worldship​